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{{Short description|German electronics company}}
{{distinguish|Loewe (fashion brand)}}
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{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
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'''Loewe Technology GmbH''', doing business as '''Loewe''' ({{IPA-de|ˈløːvə|}}, roughly {{respell|LOO|və}}), is a German company that develops, designs, manufactures and sells consumer electronics and electromechanical products and systems. The company was founded in Berlin, 1923, by brothers Siegmund and David L. Loewe. Since 1948, the company has based its headquarters and production facilities in the Bavarian town of [[Kronach|Kronach, Upper Franconia]].
'''Loewe Technology GmbH''', doing business as '''Loewe''' ({{IPA|de|ˈløːvə|lang|de-Löwe.ogg}}), is a German company that develops, designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics and electromechanical products and systems. The company was founded in Berlin, in 1923, by brothers Siegmund and David L. Loewe. Since 1948, the company has based its headquarters and production facilities in the Bavarian town of [[Kronach|Kronach, Upper Franconia]].


== History ==
== History ==
The company was started in 1923 in Berlin, when Siegmund Loewe and his brother David Ludwig Loewe established a radio manufacturing company named Radiofrequenz GmbH. Their work with the young physicist [[Manfred von Ardenne]] in 1926 led to the development of the [[Loewe 3NF]], an early attempt to combine several functions into one electronic device, similar to the modern [[integrated circuit]].
The company was started in 1923 in Berlin, when Siegmund Loewe and his brother David Ludwig Loewe established a radio manufacturing company named Radiofrequenz GmbH. Siegmund Loewe belonged to a circle which promoted public broadcasting in Germany and did his best to initiate what later became known as the radio boom.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blumtritt |first=Oskar |title=The flying spot scanner, Manfred von Ardenne and the telecinema, in: Presenting Pictures |publisher=NMSI Trading Ltd, Science Museum |year=2004 |isbn=1-900747-54-5 |location=London |pages=91 |language=en}}</ref> His work with the young physicist [[Manfred von Ardenne]] in 1926 led to the development of the [[Loewe 3NF]], an early attempt to combine several functions into one electronic device, similar to the modern [[integrated circuit]]. It was the basis for the broadcast receiver OE 333 that Loewe produced in his factory from 1926 on, of which for the first time in Germany several hundred of thousands sets were sold.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kilian |title=Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history |publisher=avedition |isbn=978-3-89986-390-1 |location=Stuttgart |publication-date=2023 |pages=23, 31-35 |language=de, en}}</ref>


Television development began at Loewe in 1929. The company worked together with British television pioneer [[John Logie Baird]]. In 1931, Manfred von Ardenne presented the world's first fully electronic television to the public on the Loewe stand at the 8th [[Berlin Radio Show]].
Television development began at Loewe in 1929. The company worked together with British television pioneer [[John Logie Baird]]. In 1931, Manfred von Ardenne presented the world's first fully electronic television to the public on the Loewe stand at the 8th [[Berlin Radio Show]]. The ''New York Times'' reported on the invention on its front page.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blumtritt |first=Oskar |title=The flying-spot scanner, Manfred von Ardenne and the telecinema, in: Presenting Pictures |publisher=NMSI Trading Ltd, Science Museum |year=2004 |pages=92-94, 97-104 |language=en}}</ref> Between 1930 and 1935, Loewe registered the most television patents worldwide.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shiers |first=George |title=Early Television. A Bibliographic Guide to 1940 |publisher=Garland Publishing |year=1997 |isbn=0-8240-7782-2 |location=New York |pages=211, 252, 327, 358, 389 |language=en}}</ref>


When [[Adolf Hitler]] came to power in Germany, Siegmund Loewe was forced to emigrate to the US in 1938, where he developed a friendship with [[Albert Einstein]].{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} [[Funkabwehr]] agents obtained radio detection-finders vans from Loewe-Opta to be used against espionage in Belgium.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
When [[Adolf Hitler]] came to power in Germany, Siegmund Loewe was forced to emigrate to the US in 1938, where he developed a friendship with [[Albert Einstein]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kilian |title=Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history |publisher=avedition |isbn=978-3-89986-390-1 |location=Stuttgart |publication-date=2023 |pages=24-27, 64-65 |language=de, en}}</ref> From 1939 Loewe mainly produced radio technology for the German Luftwaffe and in 1940 came into the possession of the Reich Aviation Ministry.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kilian |title=Ortsempfänger, Volksfernseher und Optaphon. Die Entwicklung der deutschen Radio- und Fernsehindustrie und das Unternehmen Loewe 1923–1962 |publisher=Klartext Verlag |year=2005 |isbn=3-89861-492-1 |location=Essen |pages=237-239 |language=de}}</ref>


In 1949, Siegmund Loewe regained possession of the company's property and took over as chairman of the supervisory board. In the 1950s, Loewe began producing the Optaphon, a [[cassette tape recorder]], and manufacturing televisions in Kronach.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} In 1961, Loewe began mass production of the Optacord 500, a [[Video tape recorder|video recorder]].{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}
In 1949, Siegmund Loewe regained possession of the company's property and took over as chairman of the supervisory board. In the 1950s, Loewe began producing the Optaphon, an early [[cassette tape recorder]] with auto-reverse function, but it was not a commercial success. In contrast, the start of radio and television production at the current site in Kronach was very successful and Loewe was able to increase its turnover from 10 to 169 million Deutsch Marks between 1949 and 1960. In 1961, Loewe launched with Optacord 500 the first European [[Video tape recorder|video recorder]] for professional use.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kilian |title=Ortsempfänger, Volksfernseher und Optaphon. Die Entwicklung der deutschen Radio- und Fernsehindustrie und das Unternehmen Loewe 1923–1962 |year=2005 |isbn=3-89861-492-1 |location=Essen |pages=293-315, 322 |language=de}}</ref>


In 1962, the family company tradition ended with the death of Siegmund Loewe. Subsidiaries of the [[Philips group]] took over the majority of shares. Under this management, which continued until 1985, the company specialised increasingly in the development and production of televisions.
In 1962, the family company tradition ended with the death of Siegmund Loewe. Subsidiaries of the [[Philips group]] took over the majority of shares. Under this management, which continued until 1985, the company specialised increasingly in the development and production of televisions. In 1963, Loewe launched the Optaport, a portable television. It had for the first time a 25&nbsp;cm-wide screen and built-in FM radio. The first Loewe colour televisions were launched along with the introduction of colour television in Germany in 1967. In 1979, Loewe began production of the fully integrated chassis television, which secured the future of the company. In February 1981, Loewe presented Europe's first stereo sound television to the press.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Speidel |first=Markus |title=Netzwerke, Kooperationen und Management-Buy-Out. Die Geschichte des Unternehmens Loewe zwischen 1962 und 1985 |publisher=Klartext Verlag |year=2012 |isbn=978-3-8375-0756-0 |location=Essen |pages=52-53, 65-66, 71-77, 192-194, 203-204 |language=de}}</ref>


In 1985, a management buyout (MBO) made Loewe independent again after Philips sold its shares. A new automotive electronics division was successfully launched in cooperation with BMW. In 1991, the Japanese group Matsushita (Panasonic) acquired a stake in Loewe and also took over the BMW share in 1993; however, Matsushita sold its shares in 1997. The company subsequently went public.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Speidel |first=Markus |title=Netzwerke, Kooperationen und Management-Buy-Out. Die Geschichte des Unternehmens Loewe zwischen 1962 und 1985 |publisher=Essen |year=2012 |isbn=978-3-8375-0756-0 |location=Essen |pages=209-217, 225-228. |language=de}}</ref>
In 1963, Loewe launched the Optaport, a portable television. It had a 25&nbsp;cm-wide screen and built-in FM radio.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} The first Loewe colour televisions were launched along with the introduction of colour television in Germany.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} In 1979, Loewe began production of a fully integrated chassis television.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}


Also in 1985, Loewe designer Heinz Jünger created the Art 1 television, laying the foundation for Loewe's rise to become an internationally renowned premium brand with a clear design strategy. While Loewe had previously repeatedly attracted attention with its independent product designs (e.g. Opta 537, Palette, line 2001, Loewe MCS), it was only now that it developed its own profile. With the success of the Art 1 behind it, a separate corporate design was developed and the Loewe design department was systematically transformed into a design management department. Numerous well-known designers such as Hubertus Carl Frey alias hace, who designed the Loewe brand, as well as industrial design agencies such as Phoenix, Neumeister and Design3 worked as external designers for Loewe during these years.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kilian |title=Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history |publisher=avedition |isbn=978-3-89986-390-1 |location=Stuttgart |publication-date=2023 |pages=83-85, 147-151, 181-183 |language=de, en}}</ref>
In 1985, management made Loewe a privately owned company again after Philips sold its shares. In the same year, Loewe created the Art 1, a new generation of TVs with a focus on design.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}


1998 marked two more milestones in the company history: the launch of the Xelos @ Media, a television with internet access, and that of the Spheros, the first Loewe flat-screen television.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} In the following year, Loewe AG had its IPO, led by Rainer Hecker (CEO) and Burkhard Bamberger (CFO).{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}
1998 marked two more milestones in the company history: the launch of the Xelos @Media, a television with internet access, and that of the Spheros, the first Loewe flat-screen television. In the following year, Loewe AG had its IPO, led by Rainer Hecker (CEO) and Burkhard Bamberger (CFO).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kilian |title=Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history |publisher=avedition |year=2023 |isbn=978-3-89986-390-1 |location=Stuttgart |pages=123-127 |language=de, en}}</ref>


By 2002, Loewe had established a market position as a supplier of high-quality and design-oriented CRT televisions. However, due to the triumph of flat-screen televisions, Loewe's sales of picture tube televisions in the premium segment collapsed in 2003. Loewe responded with a reorganization program, switched the television range completely to flat screens and revitalized the brand by pursuing an even stricter premium course. In 2008, Loewe was honored with the German Brand Award 2008 in the ''Best Brand Relaunch'' category because the company had mastered the brand crisis with a consistent premium strategy and achieved a turnaround.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Keuper, Jürgen Kindervater, Heiko Dertinger, Andreas Heim |first=Frank |title=Das Diktat der Markenführung. 11 Thesen zur nachhaltigen Markenführung und -implementierung. Mit einem umfassenden Fallbeispiel der Loewe AG |publisher=Gabler Fachverlage |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-8349-0852-0 |location=Wiesbaden |pages=5-38 |language=de}}</ref>
⚫
Following financial hardships, in July 2013 the company filed for bankruptcy protection, but on 1 October 2013 the Loewe Group entered into a self-administration process.<ref>[http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/10/12/loew-o12.html "German technology manufacturer Loewe declares bankruptcy"]</ref> In March 2014 major assets from Loewe AG were taken by the Munich-based investor Stargate Capital GmbH.<ref>{{cite news|title=Münchener Investor übernimmt Loewe|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/handel-dienstleister/tv-hersteller-gerettet-muenchener-investor-uebernimmt-loewe/9653396.html|access-date=6 January 2015|publisher=Handelsblatt}}</ref>


⚫
Following financial hardships, in July 2013 the company filed for bankruptcy protection, but on 1 October 2013, the Loewe Group entered into a self-administration process.<ref>[http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/10/12/loew-o12.html "German technology manufacturer Loewe declares bankruptcy"]</ref> In March 2014, major assets from Loewe AG were taken by the Munich-based investor Stargate Capital GmbH.<ref>{{cite news|title=Münchener Investor übernimmt Loewe|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/handel-dienstleister/tv-hersteller-gerettet-muenchener-investor-uebernimmt-loewe/9653396.html|access-date=6 January 2015|publisher=Handelsblatt}}</ref>
In December 2019, Skytec Group Ltd took 100% ownership of the brand, creating Loewe Technology GmbH and associated subsidiaries. During 2021, Loewe introduced the SL7 streaming TV platform, standalone audio products and a new sub-brand; We.by.Loewe.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}


In 2021, Loewe acquired 65,000 m² of land and buildings from the town of Kronach to secure its location for the long term future. The plans consider step-by-step renovation of the complete area with erection of new office and administrative facilities.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}
In December 2019, Skytec Group Ltd took 100% ownership of the brand, creating Loewe Technology GmbH and associated subsidiaries. In 2021, Loewe acquired 65,000 m² of land and buildings from the town of Kronach to secure its location for the long term future. The plans consider step-by-step renovation of the complete area with erection of new office and administrative facilities. During 2021, Loewe introduced a new sub-brand: We.by.Loewe.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiner |first=Kilian |title=Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history |publisher=avedition |year=2023 |isbn=978-3-89986-390-1 |location=Stuttgart |pages=137-141, 177 |language=de, en}}</ref>


French football star [[Kylian Mbappé|Kylian Mbappe]] bought a stake in Loewe on 30 September 2024, which the company expects will lead to an increase in sales and possibly an IPO.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-30 |title=Kylian Mbappe takes stake in German electronics firm Loewe |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/kylian-mbappe-takes-stake-in-german-electronics-firm-loewe |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref><gallery>
Loewe celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023, adopting a new slogan “Century of Excellence”. In partnership with the town of Kronach, Loewe opened an exhibition displaying products from different historical periods at Rosenberg Castle in Kronach, which will operate for the full anniversary year. A book titled “100 years of Loewe design” has been published with another book, “100 years of Loewe history in images”, to be released later in 2023.{{cn|date=June 2023}}<gallery>
File:1923 Loewe headoffice.jpg|Loewe head office in Berlin, 1923
File:1923 Loewe headoffice.jpg|Loewe head office in Berlin, 1923
File:Siegmund Loewe & Manfred von Ardenne.jpg|Siegmund Loewe & Manfred von Ardenne
File:Siegmund Loewe & Manfred von Ardenne.jpg|Siegmund Loewe & Manfred von Ardenne
File:1926 Local receiver OE 333.jpg|Loewe local receiver, 1926
File:1926 Local receiver OE 333.jpg|Loewe local receiver OE 333, 1926
File:1931 First Loewe TV.jpg|First Loewe TV, 1931
File:1931 First Loewe TV.jpg|First Loewe TV, 1931
File:1950 Loewe Optaphon.jpg|Loewe Optaphon, 1950
File:1950 Loewe Optaphon.jpg|Loewe Optaphon, 1950
Line 56: Line 56:
File:1998 Loewe Spheros2.jpg|Loewe Spheros, 1998
File:1998 Loewe Spheros2.jpg|Loewe Spheros, 1998
</gallery>
</gallery>

== Products ==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2017}}

'''Type FEB'''

In 1929 Loewe started producing televisions. Manfred von Ardenne focused on electronic circuits. On 14 December 1930, with the help of the cathode ray tube, he succeeded in full electronic transmission of diapositives.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

'''Loewe Optaport'''

In 1963, Loewe designed a fully transistorized and portable TV, the “Optaport”. The device had a screen diagonal of 9.8 inches and was equipped with an integrated ultra-short wave radio section.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

'''Art 1'''

In February 1981, Loewe presented the first stereo sound TV in Europe. Four years later they introduced the “Art 1”, a newly design-oriented generation of televisions.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

'''D2-MAC'''

The D2MAC method for TV components allowed digital sound to be transmitted stereo and in various languages. Loewe produced a television with an internally pluggable D2-MAC decoder, Sat-TV turner and PiP modules. However, the 1,250-line HDTV did not manage to establish itself and was taken off the market after the distribution of German programmes via Astra.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

'''CS1'''

The environmentally friendly “CS1” television went into production in 1995. Television tubes could be disposed of separately while the casing cover and electronics were designed such that they could be completely melted for reuse. Hence, the CS1 was recyclable.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

'''Xelos @ Media & Spheros'''

From 1995 onwards, Loewe kept evolving from classic consumer electronics to a multimedia specialist. In 1997, Loewe introduced the “Xelos @ Media” – the first TV with internet access. In the same year, the first Loewe flat-screen TV “Spheros” debuted.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

'''MultiTel TV 10'''

In 1988, the MultiTel TV 10 was released. Telephoning, keeping a name register, database queries, sending telexes and telefax were available.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

'''Individual, Art & Connect'''

“Individual” was the first flat-screen TV that offered individual housing options and set-up solutions.{{buzzword inline|date=October 2019}} The “Loewe Connect”, introduced in 2008, was a Smart TV that offered wireless access to multi-media files, external hard drive, and PC systems.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

In 2010 Loewe developed its first batch-produced LCD TV with LED background lighting, the next generation “Individual SL”. In the same year, the LED series “Art” and “Connect” with DR+Streaming, MediaText, HbbTV, CE-HTML and an improved streaming client were introduced at the IFA exhibition. The increasing intelligent networking of modern homes was integrated with functions like “Follow-Me,“ which enables the user to record or start watching a movie in one room and finish watching it in another room, enabling a multi-room function.

'''bild, klang, plus'''

In 2016, Loewe introduced a German nomenclature of its products in order to "authentically communicate its German roots". The German product names are supposed to convey the use of the respective products within the entertainment system: ''bild'' (TV devices), ''klang'' (speakers), and ''plus'' (accessories).{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

'''We.by.Loewe brand'''

In 2021, Loewe Technology introduced a new sub brand called We.By.Loewe which targets younger generation and offers products at more affordable price points. The current range includes LCD TVs (''We.See'' series) and speakers (''We.Hear'' series).


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
* 75 Jahre Loewe (1923–1998). Und die Zukunft geht weiter, author's edition 1998
* ''75 Jahre Loewe (1923–1998). Und die Zukunft geht weiter'', author's edition 1998
* Oskar Blumtritt: ''The flying spot scanner, Manfred von Ardenne and the telecinema'', in: Presenting Pictures. NMSI Trading Ltd, Science Museum, London 2004. p. 84-115. {{ISBN|1-900747-54-5}}
⚫
* Kilian J.L. Steiner: ''Ortsempfänger, Volksfernseher und Optaphon.'' Die Entwicklung der deutschen Radio- und Fernsehindustrie und das Unternehmen Loewe 1923–1962. Klartext Verlag, Essen 2005, {{ISBN|978-3-89861-492-4}}
* Frank Keuper, Jürgen Kindervater, Heiko Dertinger, Andreas Heim (Hrsg.): ''Das Diktat der Markenführung.'' 11 Thesen zur nachhaltigen Markenführung und -implementierung. Mit einem umfassenden Fallbeispiel der Loewe AG, Gabler Fachverlage, Wiesbaden 2009, {{ISBN|978-3-8349-0852-0}}
* Frank Keuper, Jürgen Kindervater, Heiko Dertinger, Andreas Heim (Ed.): ''Das Diktat der Markenführung. 11 Thesen zur nachhaltigen Markenführung und -implementierung. Mit einem umfassenden Fallbeispiel der Loewe AG'', Gabler Fachverlage, Wiesbaden 2009, {{ISBN|978-3-8349-0852-0}}
* Speidel, Markus: ''Netzwerke, Kooperationen und Management-Buy-Out. Die Geschichte des Unternehmens Loewe zwischen 1962 und 1985'' (in German). Klartext Verlag, Essen 2012, {{ISBN|978-3-8375-0756-0}}
⚫
* Kilian Steiner: ''Ortsempfänger, Volksfernseher und Optaphon. Die Entwicklung der deutschen Radio- und Fernsehindustrie und das Unternehmen Loewe 1923–1962''. Klartext Verlag, Essen 2005, {{ISBN|978-3-89861-492-4}}
* Kilian Steiner: ''Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history'' (in German and English). Stuttgart: avedition, Stuttgart 2023 {{ISBN|978-3-89986-390-1}}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:16, 21 November 2024

Not to be confused with Loewe (fashion brand).
Loewe Technology GmbH
Company typeIncorporation
IndustryConsumer Electronics
Founded23 January 1923; 101 years ago (1923-01-23)[1]
HeadquartersKronach, Germany
Key people
Aslan Khabliev, CEO
Thomas Putz, CTO
Christian Alber, COO
ProductsTVs, audio products and multiroom solutions[buzzword]

Loewe Technology GmbH, doing business as Loewe (German: [ˈløːvə] ⓘ), is a German company that develops, designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics and electromechanical products and systems. The company was founded in Berlin, in 1923, by brothers Siegmund and David L. Loewe. Since 1948, the company has based its headquarters and production facilities in the Bavarian town of Kronach, Upper Franconia.

History

[edit]

The company was started in 1923 in Berlin, when Siegmund Loewe and his brother David Ludwig Loewe established a radio manufacturing company named Radiofrequenz GmbH. Siegmund Loewe belonged to a circle which promoted public broadcasting in Germany and did his best to initiate what later became known as the radio boom.[2] His work with the young physicist Manfred von Ardenne in 1926 led to the development of the Loewe 3NF, an early attempt to combine several functions into one electronic device, similar to the modern integrated circuit. It was the basis for the broadcast receiver OE 333 that Loewe produced in his factory from 1926 on, of which for the first time in Germany several hundred of thousands sets were sold.[3]

Television development began at Loewe in 1929. The company worked together with British television pioneer John Logie Baird. In 1931, Manfred von Ardenne presented the world's first fully electronic television to the public on the Loewe stand at the 8th Berlin Radio Show. The New York Times reported on the invention on its front page.[4] Between 1930 and 1935, Loewe registered the most television patents worldwide.[5]

When Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany, Siegmund Loewe was forced to emigrate to the US in 1938, where he developed a friendship with Albert Einstein.[6] From 1939 Loewe mainly produced radio technology for the German Luftwaffe and in 1940 came into the possession of the Reich Aviation Ministry.[7]

In 1949, Siegmund Loewe regained possession of the company's property and took over as chairman of the supervisory board. In the 1950s, Loewe began producing the Optaphon, an early cassette tape recorder with auto-reverse function, but it was not a commercial success. In contrast, the start of radio and television production at the current site in Kronach was very successful and Loewe was able to increase its turnover from 10 to 169 million Deutsch Marks between 1949 and 1960. In 1961, Loewe launched with Optacord 500 the first European video recorder for professional use.[8]

In 1962, the family company tradition ended with the death of Siegmund Loewe. Subsidiaries of the Philips group took over the majority of shares. Under this management, which continued until 1985, the company specialised increasingly in the development and production of televisions. In 1963, Loewe launched the Optaport, a portable television. It had for the first time a 25 cm-wide screen and built-in FM radio. The first Loewe colour televisions were launched along with the introduction of colour television in Germany in 1967. In 1979, Loewe began production of the fully integrated chassis television, which secured the future of the company. In February 1981, Loewe presented Europe's first stereo sound television to the press.[9]

In 1985, a management buyout (MBO) made Loewe independent again after Philips sold its shares. A new automotive electronics division was successfully launched in cooperation with BMW. In 1991, the Japanese group Matsushita (Panasonic) acquired a stake in Loewe and also took over the BMW share in 1993; however, Matsushita sold its shares in 1997. The company subsequently went public.[10]

Also in 1985, Loewe designer Heinz Jünger created the Art 1 television, laying the foundation for Loewe's rise to become an internationally renowned premium brand with a clear design strategy. While Loewe had previously repeatedly attracted attention with its independent product designs (e.g. Opta 537, Palette, line 2001, Loewe MCS), it was only now that it developed its own profile. With the success of the Art 1 behind it, a separate corporate design was developed and the Loewe design department was systematically transformed into a design management department. Numerous well-known designers such as Hubertus Carl Frey alias hace, who designed the Loewe brand, as well as industrial design agencies such as Phoenix, Neumeister and Design3 worked as external designers for Loewe during these years.[11]

1998 marked two more milestones in the company history: the launch of the Xelos @Media, a television with internet access, and that of the Spheros, the first Loewe flat-screen television. In the following year, Loewe AG had its IPO, led by Rainer Hecker (CEO) and Burkhard Bamberger (CFO).[12]

By 2002, Loewe had established a market position as a supplier of high-quality and design-oriented CRT televisions. However, due to the triumph of flat-screen televisions, Loewe's sales of picture tube televisions in the premium segment collapsed in 2003. Loewe responded with a reorganization program, switched the television range completely to flat screens and revitalized the brand by pursuing an even stricter premium course. In 2008, Loewe was honored with the German Brand Award 2008 in the Best Brand Relaunch category because the company had mastered the brand crisis with a consistent premium strategy and achieved a turnaround.[13]

Following financial hardships, in July 2013 the company filed for bankruptcy protection, but on 1 October 2013, the Loewe Group entered into a self-administration process.[14] In March 2014, major assets from Loewe AG were taken by the Munich-based investor Stargate Capital GmbH.[15]

In December 2019, Skytec Group Ltd took 100% ownership of the brand, creating Loewe Technology GmbH and associated subsidiaries. In 2021, Loewe acquired 65,000 m² of land and buildings from the town of Kronach to secure its location for the long term future. The plans consider step-by-step renovation of the complete area with erection of new office and administrative facilities. During 2021, Loewe introduced a new sub-brand: We.by.Loewe.[16]

French football star Kylian Mbappe bought a stake in Loewe on 30 September 2024, which the company expects will lead to an increase in sales and possibly an IPO.[17]

  • Loewe head office in Berlin, 1923
    Loewe head office in Berlin, 1923
  • Siegmund Loewe & Manfred von Ardenne
    Siegmund Loewe & Manfred von Ardenne
  • Loewe local receiver OE 333, 1926
    Loewe local receiver OE 333, 1926
  • First Loewe TV, 1931
    First Loewe TV, 1931
  • Loewe Optaphon, 1950
    Loewe Optaphon, 1950
  • Loewe Iris, 1951
    Loewe Iris, 1951
  • Loewe Optaport, 1963
    Loewe Optaport, 1963
  • Loewe Art 1, 1985
    Loewe Art 1, 1985
  • Loewe Spheros, 1998
    Loewe Spheros, 1998

Bibliography

[edit]
  • 75 Jahre Loewe (1923–1998). Und die Zukunft geht weiter, author's edition 1998
  • Oskar Blumtritt: The flying spot scanner, Manfred von Ardenne and the telecinema, in: Presenting Pictures. NMSI Trading Ltd, Science Museum, London 2004. p. 84-115. ISBN 1-900747-54-5
  • Frank Keuper, Jürgen Kindervater, Heiko Dertinger, Andreas Heim (Ed.): Das Diktat der Markenführung. 11 Thesen zur nachhaltigen Markenführung und -implementierung. Mit einem umfassenden Fallbeispiel der Loewe AG, Gabler Fachverlage, Wiesbaden 2009, ISBN 978-3-8349-0852-0
  • Speidel, Markus: Netzwerke, Kooperationen und Management-Buy-Out. Die Geschichte des Unternehmens Loewe zwischen 1962 und 1985 (in German). Klartext Verlag, Essen 2012, ISBN 978-3-8375-0756-0
  • Kilian Steiner: Ortsempfänger, Volksfernseher und Optaphon. Die Entwicklung der deutschen Radio- und Fernsehindustrie und das Unternehmen Loewe 1923–1962. Klartext Verlag, Essen 2005, ISBN 978-3-89861-492-4
  • Kilian Steiner: Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history (in German and English). Stuttgart: avedition, Stuttgart 2023 ISBN 978-3-89986-390-1

References

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  1. ^ "About LOEWE". Loewe official website. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  2. ^ Blumtritt, Oskar (2004). The flying spot scanner, Manfred von Ardenne and the telecinema, in: Presenting Pictures. London: NMSI Trading Ltd, Science Museum. p. 91. ISBN 1-900747-54-5.
  3. ^ Steiner, Kilian (2023). Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history (in German and English). Stuttgart: avedition. pp. 23, 31–35. ISBN 978-3-89986-390-1.
  4. ^ Blumtritt, Oskar (2004). The flying-spot scanner, Manfred von Ardenne and the telecinema, in: Presenting Pictures. NMSI Trading Ltd, Science Museum. pp. 92–94, 97–104.
  5. ^ Shiers, George (1997). Early Television. A Bibliographic Guide to 1940. New York: Garland Publishing. pp. 211, 252, 327, 358, 389. ISBN 0-8240-7782-2.
  6. ^ Steiner, Kilian (2023). Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history (in German and English). Stuttgart: avedition. pp. 24–27, 64–65. ISBN 978-3-89986-390-1.
  7. ^ Steiner, Kilian (2005). Ortsempfänger, Volksfernseher und Optaphon. Die Entwicklung der deutschen Radio- und Fernsehindustrie und das Unternehmen Loewe 1923–1962 (in German). Essen: Klartext Verlag. pp. 237–239. ISBN 3-89861-492-1.
  8. ^ Steiner, Kilian (2005). Ortsempfänger, Volksfernseher und Optaphon. Die Entwicklung der deutschen Radio- und Fernsehindustrie und das Unternehmen Loewe 1923–1962 (in German). Essen. pp. 293–315, 322. ISBN 3-89861-492-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ^ Speidel, Markus (2012). Netzwerke, Kooperationen und Management-Buy-Out. Die Geschichte des Unternehmens Loewe zwischen 1962 und 1985 (in German). Essen: Klartext Verlag. pp. 52–53, 65–66, 71–77, 192–194, 203–204. ISBN 978-3-8375-0756-0.
  10. ^ Speidel, Markus (2012). Netzwerke, Kooperationen und Management-Buy-Out. Die Geschichte des Unternehmens Loewe zwischen 1962 und 1985 (in German). Essen: Essen. pp. 209–217, 225-228. ISBN 978-3-8375-0756-0.
  11. ^ Steiner, Kilian (2023). Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history (in German and English). Stuttgart: avedition. pp. 83–85, 147–151, 181–183. ISBN 978-3-89986-390-1.
  12. ^ Steiner, Kilian (2023). Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history (in German and English). Stuttgart: avedition. pp. 123–127. ISBN 978-3-89986-390-1.
  13. ^ Keuper, Jürgen Kindervater, Heiko Dertinger, Andreas Heim, Frank (2009). Das Diktat der Markenführung. 11 Thesen zur nachhaltigen Markenführung und -implementierung. Mit einem umfassenden Fallbeispiel der Loewe AG (in German). Wiesbaden: Gabler Fachverlage. pp. 5–38. ISBN 978-3-8349-0852-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "German technology manufacturer Loewe declares bankruptcy"
  15. ^ "Münchener Investor übernimmt Loewe". Handelsblatt. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  16. ^ Steiner, Kilian (2023). Loewe. 100 Jahre Designgeschichte. Loewe. 100 years design history (in German and English). Stuttgart: avedition. pp. 137–141, 177. ISBN 978-3-89986-390-1.
  17. ^ "Kylian Mbappe takes stake in German electronics firm Loewe". The Straits Times. 2024-09-30. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
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